Another day, another longing for One Direction to shimmy into my life and make my dreams alive again. Unfortunately, 1D is as dead as the succulents in my room that I didn't know had to be watered (no, like, really). The boys have their solo music, and I'm here for mostly all of it is Liam Payne literally doing ANYTHING rn.
Zayn in particular, I respect. Recently, he released Icarus Falls, a pretty gosh darn long album when you listen to the deluxe version with a whopping 27 (27!!!!!!!!!!!!) songs. Word on the street is that it's a flop, so here I am to give you the tea.
(also you kinda need to watch this music video. i just now found it and am weak.)
ZAYN - Let Me (Official Music Video)www.youtube.com
Zayn's released a BUNCH of singles from this album. To be blunt, I had NO idea this was coming until some tweet went a bit viral which made me realize Zayn had an album out. Regardless, he's put out Let Me, Rainberry, There You Are and Good Years. I have no clue if those are the only ones. Honestly I can't be bothered to find out.
Me showing up to Gigi’s house to ask Zayn where the album at https://t.co/Ww6nNkB3PC— 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭. (@𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭.) 1515426579.0
I started listening to the album straight, despite the warning from a friend that "the album kinda all sounds the same" -- which I found to be pretty accurate. It isn't that this album is bad, because it's not bad. It's super good. Zayn's vocals are smoother than literally anything. A baby WISHES they were this smooth. I forgot how much I missed Zayn oops.
I definitely think that Icarus Falls is an album that deserves multiple play throughs. While studying for finals, I went through the album once and went YAWN ALEXA PLAY TAKE YOU HOME BY ONE DIRECTION, but as most things, you gotta give it a second chance. So I did! And golly gee am I glad I did! That may sound incredibly sarcastic but I'm not kidding; this is a really nice, pleasing album. Zayn dips his little pinky toe into R&B pretty well yet I can't really pinpoint his style -- a little R&B but chill, soft pop, vibey? Unsure.
Every song is actually really good -- except for the song with Nicki Minaj, which just feels all kinds of wrong -- and whenever they come on shuffle, I enjoy them. Insomnia for example, is a solid one and the lyrics are deep as heck (go LISTEN!), but yet I just don't seek it out. And THAT, is the weak point of Icarus Falls.
Zayn has a lot to say on this album, and it's pretty clear his anxiety is still bee bopping about. Also, can I add that I really do not feel like he is over One Direction? Can I add that? Is that a stretch? Sorry Zayn. I'm sure you're reading this right now.
But anyway! These songs are really solid, and I love Zayn's delivery of all of his lyrics -- he has much to say and the subject matter is quite diverse. Yet they all start to merge together. Some do stand out, but it's honestly just the singles and a few others that bring it home. When you have 27 songs on an album, who the HECK is gonna be there for all of them, honestly. Like, I love One Direction, but if they put 27 songs onto one album I'd be like woooooahhh bruhh chill lol.
Final verdict: While I've really been enjoying the album, listening to it isn't NECESSARY. You're not missing out on A LOT; it's not like when Harry released his debut album and I literally was shoving it in everybody's face -- rightfully so. There's an arrangement of songs that I think are really nice and fun to listen to, but like, do so at your own will. There just isn't really a rush. I'm not mad Zayn. But maybe you should look into talking to 1D again.
ALICE'S LISTEN-TO-THIS LIST: Let Me, Sour Diesel, There You Are, Insomnia, Fingers, Too Much
- ZAYN - Good Years (Audio) - YouTube ›
- zayn (@zaynmalik) | Twitter ›
- ZAYN's new album Icarus Falls has arrived | The FADER ›
- Zayn to release new album, Icarus Falls, in December ›
- Zayn's New Album "Icarus Falls" Has 27 Songs | Teen Vogue ›
- New Zayn Album - Stream Icarus Falls ›
- ZAYN ›
- New Zayn album revealed: Icarus Falls gets release date, new single ›
- Zayn confirms release date of 27-track-long new album 'Icarus Falls' ›
- Zayn Says Next Album Is 'On the Way,' Gifts Fans With Beyonce ... ›